Hishammuddin Hussein has dismissed the claim that he is pushing for a new government which would exclude DAP and Amanah.
The Sembrong MP also said Anwar Ibrahim's remarks about him in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday were nothing new as the latter had mentioned to him, in private, that he was blocking the PKR president from becoming the next prime minister.
“But who am I (to block him)? I don't have any positions in Umno... this makes no sense. Secondly, we are an opposition party. What do we have to do with the PM's position?
“Unless Anwar feels, in order to become PM, he needs our support. If he needs our support, then I wish to ask him if he is confident about getting support from his own party?” Hishammuddin added.
On a sarcastic note, the former Umno vice-president also thanked Anwar for showing that he is still relevant in politics.
Asked why he was targeted, Hishamuddin said: “I don't know. You have to ask him (Anwar). It is baffling... he doesn't need our support if he has the backing of his own MPs. So you figure that one out.”
Quizzed if he supported Anwar as the next prime minister, Hishamuddin sidestepped the question, stating that his stand on the matter was irrelevant.
“If he has support from his supporters, it doesn't matter whether I support him or not,” he said.
On Pakatan Harapan leaders accusing him of plotting to form a new government, Hishammuddin retorted: “This is even more ridiculous.”
He pointed out that the next general election is far from being around the corner, and he, therefore, failed to understand the logic behind this accusation.
“What is happening signals that all is not well in Harapan,” the former defence minister told reporters in the Parliament lobby this morning.
'Don't make others scapegoats for your problems'
Hishammuddin also denied holding clandestine meetings with MPs from Bersatu and PKR to discuss this matter.
“There is no reason (to hold meetings). Why?
“If the statement (from Harapan) referred to my writings, when did I write that we want to exclude DAP and Amanah? When did I write about racial politics... I am talking about unity.
“But at the end of the day, I am thankful that they are still focusing on me,” he added.
Responding to another question, Hishammuddin said Harapan should get its house in order and not blame others.
“If they are strong, they won't be targeting me, of all people... Things are not well for them. Don't blame others, we will not allow BN, Umno or me to become scapegoats for their internal problems,” he added.
Yesterday, Anwar traded veiled references with BN lawmakers in Parliament on the Harapan agreement that he would succeed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Urging the lawmakers not to fear threats of prosecution, he said: "This is the problem of wanting to follow the strategy by Sembrong and others. All this is nonsense.”
"All these are sometimes for personal survival... to close MACC cases. We don't want that. Politics should not be about threats, it should be about principles.
"Be they threats of prosecution or imprisonment, one's principle must not be sacrificed," Anwar added.
Several hours later, the secretaries-general of all four Harapan parties and the coalition's secretary-general issued a joint statement, accusing Hishammuddin of wanting to create a new government.
Referring to the former minister's writings, they claimed he had signalled the desire to return to race-based policies and governance.
Meanwhile, when approached by reporters at Parliament over Hishammuddin’s response, Anwar merely replied, “That’s good news”.
“If he (Hishammuddin) denies, that’s good news,” he said today.
The PKR chief and PM-in-waiting did not elaborate much when asked where he received information that the former BN cabinet minister had been pushing for a new government and trying to block Anwar from becoming premier.
“Let him (Hishammuddin) reply,” was all the Port Dickson lawmaker said.
Ismail Sabri: This is his own doing
Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri appeared to distance the party from the alleged plan, saying questions on this matter should be referred to Hishammuddin.
“You should ask Sembrong because this is his own doing, maybe. I don't know. The party doesn't know, we never discussed this.
“Anything related to political cooperation, (the decision) must come from the party. Something as important as this, the supreme council must decide,” he added.
Ismail, who is also parliamentary opposition leader, said Hishammuddin had not discussed the matter with him.
The latest twist to the succession saga comes amid Khairy Jamaluddin stating that the uncertainty on whether Mahathir would pass the baton to Anwar is affecting investor confidence.
“This is a serious problem. Because, if there isn’t a clear timeline that states when the power transition would take place, businesses do not invest,” Khairy told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
“This is the feedback I received from local as well as international companies which said that Malaysia is unique because political certainty is closely related to investment decision,” he added. - Mkini
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